Kyaa Kyaff here! Hiya ^o^

Disclaimer: I wish Kenshin belonged to me. But there is a big difference between wishing and it actually being true. So like I have said before Kenshin doesn't belong to me.

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

An Alternate Place and Time

Chapter 14: Soujiro' choice

"Yahiko," Tsubame's weak voice uttered softly in pain.

Kaoru watched as Yahiko responded to Tsubame's voice. Kaoru felt him release his control over her. He ran a few short steps over to Tsubame.

"Tsubame," he said brokenly.

Kaoru came over.

"Yahiko let me see her wound,"

Yahiko moved marginally. Kaoru kneeled down. Tsubame had been stabbed in the stomach. It was more to the side, so it was less serious, but still fatal if not attended to. Kaoru heard a noise and stood sword ready.

"Kaoru?" Megumi's voice called through the gloom, "Is that you?"

"Megumi! Tsubame's been hurt badly. Please we need your help."

Megumi ran forward nodding her head. She was a little disheveled, but looked unhurt. She turned professional and got right down to business. Kaoru stood guard.

"We can't stay here," Kaoru warned.

"Just give me a second. I have to stop the bleeding. This is going to be bad, but if we get her somewhere safe soon, I think she will live." Megumi replied.

"All right. I found Sano. Kenshin is with him. Kenshin is ill, but he will be okay."

Kaoru explained where she found Sano as Megumi tried to temporarily bind Tsubame's wound. Once finished Yahiko picked Tsubame up as carefully as he could. Making their way out of the courtyard, Kaoru heard someone's approach.

"Yahiko, Megumi, go ahead without me. Someone is following us. Just go where I told you to go. I will catch up," Kaoru whispered quietly.

Megumi nodded. Yahiko looked at her concerned but raised no argument. She watched as they moved off. She hoped they would make it to Sano's safely.

'Tsubame, stay strong.'

"All right. I know you are there," Kaoru said.

"Kaoru," Soujiro said stepping forward.

Kaoru looked at him in disbelief.

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Megumi and Yahiko were running along the streets of the city toward the run-down section. Yahiko tried to run as best as he could while carrying Tsubame and trying not to worsen her injury. She had passed out soon after they had split up with Kaoru.

He hoped Kaoru was safe.

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"Sou-chan," Kaoru said.

"I can't let you leave," he said.

"You mean you can't let me live," Kaoru countered.

His face became sorrowful.

"There is no avoiding this. Come on Soujiro. Let's finish this, because I won't let you get past me."

Kaoru came at him with a quick attack. He deflected but made no effort to hit her back.

"Fight me," Kaoru said furiously suppressing her feelings.

Soujiro did the only thing he could do, he attacked. They exchanged strikes as enemies now, instead of training partners. They were an equal match, and were getting nowhere. Kaoru moved closer trying to get past his defense. A mistake, he immediately dropped down and before she could react was sweeping her off her feet with a well-placed drop kick. She landed hard on her butt her sword flying from her hands. Soujiro stood, as he did a memory came to Kaoru.

__________________________Flashback___________________________________

Kaoru was training with Soujiro and becoming frustrated. He kept his usual smile on his face as they sparred. Kaoru moved close trying to get at him once again. He dropped low sweeping her off her feet with a well-placed kick; her sword flew from her hands. She was caught. He stood and swung his sword straight for her neck stopping an inch away.

"I guess I was killed." Kaoru said frowning.

"No, I never would kill you."

"Sou-chan, you know what I mean."

"You let yourself become frustrated. You must not let emotions cloud your judgment." Soujiro said extending a hand to help her up.

She took it gratefully rubbing her butt.

"Itai! That hurt!"

Soujiro laughed pulling her up without effort.

"Kaoru," he said softly.

"Yes?" she asked.

Soujiro looked at her and shook his head. Kaoru frowned and then smiled. She grabbed him around the neck, pressing her nose to his.

"What?"

"I care for you a lot," he said.

Kaoru smiled and replied with a kiss.

_________________________End Flashback__________________________________

'To remember that of all times. But it is different now.'

He clenched his fists as he stared at her. He brought his sword up and swung for her neck.

'No, am I going to die like this?'

Soujiro stopped short his sword falling from his hands. His expression was tragic. He dropped to the ground beside Kaoru and gathered her into a strong hug.

"I can't. I could never kill you," he said fiercely.

"If you don't, once you bring me back, the Shinsengumi will," Kaoru said, "I would rather die here by you hand."

"No Kaoru, I won't let anyone harm you. I love you. I have since we were younger. Even after we became just friends again." Soujiro confessed.

"No, no stop it. Sou-chan please."

"I will protect you Kao-chan," Soujiro replied.

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Kenshin felt hot. Very hot. Opening his eyes slowly, he looked around.

*Where am I? *

He lay in a dingy room. Morning light streamed in through a hole in the wall. Kenshin looked around the rest of the room noticing the books scattered everywhere on the floor. There was a screen separating the room into two sections. He could see the shadows of people on the other side. Kenshin reached for his sword only to realize it wasn't there. He was alarmed, but he felt to weak to even sit up.

"Calm down Yahiko. All you can do is watch over her now. Her wound is very serious. She may become feverish. I need you to watch her for me. There is nothing I can do now." Megumi's voice drifted from another room.

It became quiet again.

*Yahiko and Megumi? *

The last thing he remembered was standing in front of Saitoh.

*What happened? *

He tried to call out, but his throat hurt too much, and it came out as I dry rasp.

"Jou-chan hasn't returned yet. I am worried." A man's voice Kenshin couldn't identify said.

"Kaoru will be back!" Yahiko said adamantly.

"Well, if Jou-chan doesn't return soon, I am going out to look for her. I have my connections."

"With your gambling buddies Tori-atama!" Megumi said.

"Hey, calm down Kitsune. I now it's been awhile since you've seen me and you're all fired up, but right now is not the time. Maybe later tonight, when the kid isn't around!" He heard the man say.

"I am not a kid!" Yahiko protested.

"Itai!" The unknown voice exclaimed.

"I am going to check on Ken-san." Megumi said.

Kenshin watched her enter.

"You're awake!" she exclaimed happily her face changing quickly from anger to relief.

"Water," he said with a raspy voice.

"Of course," Megumi left for a second returning with a cup of water. She helped Kenshin drink it.

"Where am I?" Kenshin asked.

"The poor end of the city. Kaoru brought you here."

"Where is she?" Kenshin asked.

"We don't know. The Ishin shishi were attacked. She went there. I was trying to escape when I found her. Yahiko and Tsubame were with her. Tsubame was seriously injured. She told us to come here. We were being followed, so she stayed behind to take care of it." Megumi said.

"She hasn't returned?" Kenshin asked.

"No," Megumi replied.

Kenshin began to try and sit up. Megumi held him down.

"Ken-san, you can't go anywhere in your state. You are too weak. I am sure she is fine. Kaoru's a stubborn girl." Megumi said trying to sound confident, when she was just as worried.

"I have to go find her," Kenshin said.

"Sano is going to look for her. He is a friend. You will stay here and rest. Doctor's orders." Megumi's tone held no room for argument.

Megumi was right. He was too weak to get up at the moment, but his strength was returning quickly and he and no intention to just lie there and wait for Kaoru's return.

*Kaoru, where are you? Please be safe. *

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Kaoru sat up abruptly.

'What? Where am I?'

Kaoru put a hand to her head. Getting up, she noticed she was no longer in her wet gi and hakama. She had been changed into a sleeping yukata. She walked to the door and tried to open it. It wouldn't budge. She yanked on it hard, but again got the same result. She kicked the door with her foot in anger before going over to the window. The sun shown brightly through it. It was too small for her to fit through. She heard the door open behind her.

"I see you are awake." Soujiro said.

"Where am I?" Kaoru demanded.

"My old home before I started training with Amakusa-sensei." Soujiro replied.

Kaoru paled at the named, remembering what she had done.

"What do you want?" she asked trying to forget what she had happened.

"I want to ask you some questions. I don't want to do this, but for now this is going to be your room. I made breakfast for you."

Kaoru finally noticed the tray in his hands. He set it down on the table.

"I have to go right now. But I will be back to talk," Soujiro said.

"Won't people wonder what I am doing up here?" Kaoru asked.

"No one lives here anymore. Please don't be mad Kao-chan."

He left the room without another word. Kaoru heard the door lock.

'What can he be thinking? I have to get away from here. But I owe him some explanations. Maybe after we talk… no his loyalty lies with the Shinsengumi.'

Kaoru didn't know what to think of the situation, but she was hungry. She went over to the tray of food to eat. Her mind drifted as she did so.

'I hope Megumi found Sano. I hope she was able to save Tsubame. Kenshin should be all right.'

Her thoughts were all jumbled. A deep sorrow took hold of her as she wondered how her friends were doing.

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Megumi's angry voice could be heard echoing through the house.

"Didn't I tell you not to get up?!"

Sano shook his head, as he set to fixing the wall in the bright afternoon sun. That Kenshin guy didn't know how to sit still. He wondered how Megumi knew him, and why she kept calling him Ken-san, and why she was doting over him. Sure, the guy was sick, but if he wanted to get up that was his own problem. Sano was shocked but pleased to see Megumi again. But he didn't like how Megumi was all over that Kenshin guy.

"Hey, tori-atama, snap out of it before you mess up the wall." Yahiko said.

"Okay, Yahiko-chan!" Sano countered.

Yahiko jumped from his place at Tsubame's side toward Sano knocking the two over into the wall they were trying to fix. Megumi came out at the noise from the only decent room in the house. Megumi had Sano move Kenshin there before they started to fix the hole. Too afraid to move Tsubame they kept her in the room. Yahiko kept careful watch over her.

"What are you two doing? If it isn't enough that I have to deal with Ken-san's stubbornness, now I have to deal with your stupidity!" Megumi yelled.

Sano stood up, "Megitsune."

"Don't even start. Get back to fixing that wall. It's going to get cold tonight! Winter is coming and I don't want to freeze!" Megumi said.

Sano grumbled before beginning to pick up the mess they had made. Megumi went back into the room where Kenshin was supposed to be laying. He wasn't there.

"Ken-san?"

Megumi looked around frantically. He couldn't have gotten far. He was feverish. Megumi ran over to Sano and Yahiko.

"Kenshin's missing." She said worriedly.

"So, his choice." Sano replied.

Megumi hit him on side of the head.

"You better help me look for him now! He isn't well. We should be able to find him. Now come on, or else," Megumi said threateningly.

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Kenshin was still sick, but he blocked it out. Once Megumi had finally left, he had made his escape.

*I have to find Kaoru. She should have returned by now. Damn her! What was she thinking? *

Kenshin had no idea where to look for her, so he decided to go to the Ishin shishi hideout. It was a dangerous move, but he needed any information he could find.

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Kaoru had nothing to do for the day, but wait for Soujiro, so she slept. The sound of the door opening awoke her. Sitting up she saw Soujiro come in bringing her dinner. Looking over she noticed it was getting dark. He watched at her tentatively, expecting an outburst any second. None came. He set her food down on the table in the room before sitting down. Kaoru watched him the whole time.

"Kao-chan," Soujiro began.

"So what happened at the meeting?"

"I didn't come here to talk about that." Soujiro replied.

"You want me to answer your questions then you have to answer mine."

Soujiro sighed, "Always so stubborn."

Kaoru couldn't help but smile at what he said, "And I always will be."

"The Ishin shishi have gone into hiding. They are scattered. We've gained the advantage. We have yet to find there leader, but that will be no problem."

Kaoru looked down at her hands as he spoke.

"Now," Soujiro said after he finished speaking, "It is your turn to answer some of my questions."

Kaoru made no reply.

"Why? Why were you helping them? Why did you take Yahiko?"

"I took Yahiko, because I wanted him to be free of the Shinsengumi. You don't know what it is like for him. I just want him to live a normal life." Kaoru said.

"But that doesn't explain why you left with Battousai. You knocked me out and willingly left with him! Why?" Soujiro said passionately.

"Soujiro… I have doubts about the goals of the Shinsengumi. I have always done, as I was told never questioning, never caring. But now I do, and I don't believe in what they are trying to achieve."

"Kaoru, how could you say that?"

"Just let me go. Please." Kaoru pleaded.

"No, you will just go back to them. I don't want to fight you." Soujiro replied.

"I don't want to either Sou-chan. You are like a broth…"

"Stop it. Don't say that," Soujiro stood walking over to her taking a hold of her arms, "Kao-chan I care about you. I don't want you to think of me as a brother."

"Gomen, but …" Kaoru couldn't continue.

Soujiro unexpectedly kissed her, his arms going around her in a gentle embrace. She was stunned and didn't respond. The door abruptly flew open; Soujiro stood to face the figure standing in the door while tightening his hold on Kaoru protectively.

"Get away from her now," Kenshin said in a soft deadly voice.

^_____________________________________________________________________^

Hiya! ^o^

Uh oh another cliffy! But you must forgive me for them! I always update fast! Right? I never leave you hanging long and I tried to make the chapter longer! And KxK waff is coming soon! I know some people have been asking for it!

Chiki- See, Tsubame is going to be fine! I just couldn't bring myself to kill her. I hope you did good on all your exams. Thanks for all your support and encouragement!

Chibi-hime- Yep, I couldn't kill Tsubame. She will be all right! I love the rambling! You don't have to stop.

Bunny- Hi! I love your reviews, hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Vesca- It's no problem, I'm not offended at all. I have tons of stories I keep track of and getting two mixed up happens. So no problem, I love your reviews.

Aizel- Couldn't let anything seriously bad happen! Yep I know you by Aizel! Hope to hear from you again!

Lina- Nice hearing from you, hope you liked this chapter too.

Naomi- Awww! I loved your website, very cute. I am happy you like my story! Once I get around to it I will read more of the stories on your page! Hope to hear from you again!

Lynne Katrea- I am glad you like the story! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Alannah- Yep, updating is my specialty it seems. I get so excited getting reviews that I have to write the next chapter for all my reviewers. It's nice hearing from you!

Crystal- It's a bad habit of my, littering the story with cliffhangers. But I always update fast, right? Well, I hope you keep reading and reviewing!

Apple- Yay! I love getting you reviews. They are a huge motivator for me. The story won't be completed any time soon. I still have a lot I want to happen. So no worries about that. I also tried to make the chapter longer for you, was it? Well, I tried. What exactly is that reader's choice thing about anyway? *blushes* I am so happy you think my fic should be nominated though. I love hearing from you!

Tesuka-chan- Wow! I am so excited that you like my story so much. It was nice hearing from you! Hope to again!

Gypsy-chan- As always I must say I love hearing from you. Definitely can't wait to hear what you thought of the new chapter!

Joey- *hugs Joey* No way! I couldn't bring myself to kill Tsubame. I thought about it but rejected the idea. I just couldn't do it! Thanks for the review and I hope to hear from you again!

Lizzie- Yay! I am happy you like how I write. I try to make it sound good and I am glad you think I do! I hope to hear from you again!

Supernaturalove- I will try and put their thoughts more but sometimes I want to keep you guessing, …depending. Well anyway I will try to have more input with their thoughts.

Shizuka- Well, as you can see Tsubame is going to live. I just couldn't kill her. Can't wait to hear from you again.

Omochi- See I updated fast! Thanks for the constant reviews! My motivation!

Carrie- Next installment up! I put you on the edge of your seat again didn't I? Sorry! But I will update fast. It was nice hearing from you!

Kawaii sakura-chan- Thank you for leaving a review. They motivate me lots!

Me me me and only me- very long name! Anyway yep I left another cliffhanger. I really have to stop, but I do update fast to make up for it. Hope to hear from you again.

I love all of you sooooooooooooooooooo much! You guys motivate me to get these chapters out fast! I appreciate all your comments! Well that's all for now!

Kyaa Kyaff saying 'til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!